Salford boss Alexander happy with improved second-half showing in draw
Posted Sunday, October 27, 2019 by PA
Salford manager Graham Alexander was delighted with his side’s second-half performance against Scunthorpe even though they could not find a winner at the Peninsula Stadium.
Dutch striker Kevin Van Veen had put the visitors ahead in the 34th minute before Cameron Burgess, who is on loan from Scunthorpe, headed in the equaliser on the stroke of half time as the match finished 1-1.
Alexander was critical of Salford’s overall first-half showing but felt they were much improved after the break.
He said: “We were a bit stagnant in the first half, so to get the goal when we did was good for us.
“I asked the boys for a response and, to their credit, they gave me that.
“We pushed for the winning goal in the second half, but we just didn’t have that final bit of quality.
“I was delighted with the players, though, because they were 15, 20 per cent better in the second half and because they showed a bit of personality.
“I thought Cameron Burgess was back to his best – he was dominant in the air, used his left foot very well and got his goal.”
As well as Australian Burgess, Salford boasted former Scunthorpe defender Scott Wiseman in their starting XI, while Alexander himself started his playing career with the Iron and also managed them.
Scunthorpe showed more attacking prowess in early stages and nearly took a 20th-minute lead when Lee Novak laid the ball off in the box for Van Veen, but Salford goalkeeper Mark Howard made a stunning save, beating the ball to his left to keep the game level.
Howard, who signed for Salford on an emergency loan from Blackpool this week, then kept out Ryan Colclough’s deflected effort.
The Ammies’ best chance of the first half came when Craig Conway’s free-kick from the edge of the box was parried by Scunthorpe stopper Rory Watson.
Scunthorpe went in front when Jamie Ward found Van Veen, who switched the ball on to his left foot inside the area and smashed it past Howard.
Salford levelled matters at the end of the first half when Burgess met Ibou Touray’s deep cross to head the ball beyond Watson.
The home side provided more attacking prowess in the second half, with Adam Rooney going agonisingly close to sealing the points for Salford.
Struggling Scunthorpe’s best chance came when Van Veen picked up possession on the edge of the box, but the Dutch striker sent his shot wide.
Scunthorpe manager Paul Hurst said: “We did well in the first half, but our performance dipped in the second when Salford showed more energy.
“I’ve mixed feelings, but I thought a point was fair for both sides.
“We were disappointed that we went into half-time having conceded the equaliser because our first-half performance warranted us being in front.
“We worked our way back into the game near the end, but it was too late by then.”
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